July 5, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

When it makes sense to downsize your home

For the past 28 years Michael Edlen has tracked local statistics and trends, and has provided real estate counseling services to thousands of prospective buyers and sellers.
For the past 28 years Michael Edlen has tracked local statistics and trends, and has provided real estate counseling services to thousands of prospective buyers and sellers.

As an increasing number of Brentwood homeowners become “empty nesters”, they have begun to consider selling their home. They may own a home with four or five bedrooms and high maintenance costs and may feel it no longer makes sense to keep such a large property. There are many factors to consider in the decision making process.

One option is to sell the house at a current very high price and purchase a smaller more practical place in which to live. An alternative could be to rent their current home and either buy or rent a smaller place. Of course, another option if the decision is to not move, is to make the current home more practical and comfortable to retain in the future years. Adding a stair lift or elevator may resolve mobility issues, as could the installation of ramps and other helpful devices.

The deciding factor to sell or not may be more emotional than financial. People can become so attached to living in their current home and environment that they find it difficult to consider letting it go and making a change. Sometimes a family member can be influential in the decision making process by wanting the parents to move closer to them and their grandchildren. While this can be a compelling reason to sell, there can also be an opposite position based on financial considerations.

The economics of downsizing may become the determining factor in many cases. If the family needs more funds available for added care or alternative housing costs, the sale could accomplish this. However, there are tax ramifications that are of concern with selling a long-time held residence. If they have owned the property for many years with a considerable increase in value, even with the $250,000/$500,000 capital gains tax exemption, the resultant taxes may be significant. Such gains are taxed at a reduced capital gains rate but still can influence the family’s decision to sell.

Property taxes may be another potential issue to consider. However, owners can carry their current property tax base forward to a replacement home in Los Angeles county and some additional counties, provided that certain conditions are met. Considering that housing costs are substantially lower in many areas other than in Los Angeles County, this could be an added incentive to change locations. Some other relevant issues include liquidity, cash flow, and the possibility of long-term care costs.

While making the decision to downsize is clearly complex, on the positive side there are many benefits to considering a lifestyle change, perhaps to a condo where there are no property maintenance costs as they are included in monthly dues. Condo living can offer more freedom to travel and more security. Open discussions with family members, Realtor and other professionals can lead to a well thought through decision.

Michael Edlen has sold nearly $2 billion, 1,200 homes, and his team has more than 90 years combined experience in real estate. He and his team have represented hundreds of families in the downsizing process and provides real estate counseling services to prospective buyers and sellers. More insight and information are available at michaeledlen.com. He can be reached at 310.230.7373 or Michael@MichaelEdlen.com.

Related Posts

Michael Madsen, Star of Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, Dies at 67 in Malibu

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Actor Remembered for His Intense Performances and as a Poet  Actor Michael Madsen, known for his distinctive gravelly voice and...

Los Angeles City Council Cracks Down on ‘Disaster Tours’ in Pacific Palisades

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

City Council Bans Commercial Bus Tours in Burn Zone Amid Community Backlash Tour buses that have been operating in fire-ravaged...

Tow Truck Scammers Target Crash Victims Across L.A.: Authorities Warn of Fraud at Accident Scenes

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Officials Urge Drivers to Stay Alert After Collisions as Rogue Operators Demand Inflated Fees  Motorists involved in vehicle accidents are...

Woman Dies After Melrose Store Altercation: LAPD Launches Homicide Investigation

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Critically Injured Young Woman Died July 2, After She was Badly Beaten at Work  The death of a woman critically...

CHP Officer Dies in Culver City Crash: Medical Emergency Suspected Behind Tragic Incident

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Officer lost consciousness while transporting a suspect before crashing into a tree California Highway Patrol Officer Miguel Cano died early...

L.A. Beaches Brace for Holiday Rush: Over 1 Million Visitors Expected This Fourth of July

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

County Officials Urge Beachgoers to Pack Out Their Trash and  Monitor Water Quality More than one million visitors are expected...

(Video) A visit to New York Bagel & Deli in Santa Monica

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Authentic NY Style Bagels with Extra Creamy Cream Cheese and Multi-Cultural Desserts. Located at 2216 Wilshire Blvd. A visit to...

Hot Dogs & Rosé: Something About Her and The Culver Hotel Roll Out Summer Specials

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Westside Venues to Serve Playful Bites and Seasonal Sips For the Holiday Weekend A bold new offering is making its...

NeueHouse Hosts Bold One-Night Dinner With Culinary Phenomenon Diego Argoti

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Acclaimed Chef Brings Culinary Mischief With a Five-Course Tasting Experience. NeueHouse Hollywood will host an exclusive, one-night-only dining event on...

(Video) Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Go To Homefrontbuild.com For More Information @home_front_build Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles Go...

405 Crash Near the Getty Sends Three to Hospital: Two Seriously Hurt Near Site Where LAPD Sgt. Died

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Early Morning Multi-Vehicle Collision Shut Down Lanes Near Brentwood Three men were injured and traffic was snarled for hours following...

(Video) Jikoni, the AfriCali PopUp from celebrated cookbook author Kiano Moju Has Been Extended Until July 3 at Citizen Public Market

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Bold Flavors and Spice Merge with Crisp, Chewy Chapati. Delicious With a Caring Chef and Staff. Jikoni, the AfriCali PopUp...

Pentagon Orders Troop Drawdown in LA: 150 National Guard Members Reassigned to Wildfire Duty

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Federal Forces Begin Partial Withdrawal From Protest Response as California Leaders Push Back U.S. Northern Command announced Tuesday that 150...

California Highway Patrol Deploys for Independence Day Enforcement Surge

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

All Available Officers to Hit California Highways for Holiday Weekend As Californians gear up for Fourth of July festivities, the...

Court Postpones Arraignment for Driver in Malibu Crash That Killed Four Students

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Fraser Michael Bohm Faces Murder Charges in Fatal PCH Wreck  The arraignment for Fraser Michael Bohm, the 23-year-old man accused...